Machine gun feeding means

ABSTRACT

An article handling system, such as a machine gun, includes means to receive a series of articles progressively and continuously; means to distribute the articles to a plurality of work stations, to halt each article at a respective work station for a given period, and to withdraw the articles progressively and continuously.

United States Patent 1 Tassie et al. 1 Mar. 27, 1973 [54] 2,436,175 2/1948 Neal ..89/11 2,977,856 4/1961 Fletcher ...89/155 1 Inventors: Douglas R Tussle, ge; 2,089,158 8/1937 Bergner ..19s/212 ton P. Clark, Colchester, both of Vt.

ecm I Primary Examiner-Stephen C. Bentley [73] Asslgnee' g c z El c Company Burlmg AttorneyBailin L. Kuch, Irving M. Freedman, Harry C. Burgess, Frank L. Neuhauser, Oscar B. Waddell [22] Filed: Sept. 28, 1970 and Joseph B. Forman [21 App]. No.: 76,077- [57] ABSTRACT An article handling system, such as a machine. gun, in- [52] US. Cl. ..89/11, 89/33 BA eludes means to receive a series of articles progres Cl ..F41d ively and ontinuou ly; means to distribute the arti- Field 1 33 33 cles to a plurality of work stations, to halt each article /3 BC, 33 1 5; 1 at a respective work station for a given period, and to 214/1. 1, 1.2; 221/81 withdraw the articles progressively and continuously.

[56] References Cited r 31 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 563,701 7/1896 Wilder ..89/1 1 PATENTEDHmHm 2,3555

INVENTORS DOUGLAS P. TASSIE,

Pmaminmzmn 3,722,356

INVENTORS DOUGLAS P TASSIE, BURTON P. :CLARK,

THEIR ATTORNEY.

PATENTEUHARZYIGYS ,7 2,35

SHEET u 0F 7 Ouvc CARTRIDGE FIREO CARTRIDGE sJEcTEo CARTRIDGE F|G.6

DOT INDICATES FIRI INVENTORS: DOUGLAS P. TASSIE, BURTON P. CLARK,

THEIR ATTORNEY PATENTEDHARZYIQB 2,3555

SHEET 5 or 7 lNVENTORS DOUGLAS P TASSIE,

BURTON CLARK,

BY f/W THEIR ATTORNEY.

PATENTEDHARZY I973 SHEET 8 BF 7 2N 0mm EN EN NQE INVENTORS: DOUGLAS P. TASSIE,

K. a R N A R L O C/ T M. ,A m m R M.. v T Y B PATENTEUHAR27|173 FIG.

SHEET 7 BF 7 FIG.I2

INVENTO DOUGLAS P. sue, BURTON P CL ARK,

THEIR ATTORNEY.

MACHINE GUN FEEDING MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to an improved articles handling system, especially adapted to progressively and continuously advance a series of articles to and from a plurality of work stations, at which each article, in turn, is halted for a predetermined, period. Two embodiments are shown directed to an ammunition feeding system for a battery gun.

2. Prior Art In U.S. Pat. No. 125,563, issued Apr. '9, 1972 to RI. Gatling, there is shown the classic modern revolving battery gun. A stationary main cam is in a housing which encloses and supports a rotating receiver assembly which has a plurality of barrels and a like plurality of chambers and bolts. Rounds of ammunition are serially passed through the housing and handed to each bolt in turn as it passes the feeding station. This principle of operation has become conventional; as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,849,921, issued Sept. 2, 1958 to H. McC. Otto and U.S. Pat. No.

3,380,343 issued Apr. 30, 1968 to R.E. Chiabrandy et I SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a system to feed rounds of ammunition to a battery gun, which gun -is similar to the conventional Gatling type gun, but

wherein the receiver assembly, with its barrels, chambers and bolts, does not rotate, and the main cam in the housing rotates.

It is a further object of this inventionto provide a system for such a non-rotating Gatling type gun wherein the rounds are supplied progressively and continuously to the gun, are provided to each chamber in sequence, are halted at each chamber for a period of time adequate to permit locking, firing, and extracting, and wherein the empty cases and misfires are withdrawn progressively and continuously from the gun.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide an improved article handling system to progressively and continuously advance a series of articles to a plurality of work stations, to sequentially distribute and halt each article at a respective one of said plurality of work stations for a given period of time, and to progressively and continuously withdraw said articles from said plurality of work stations.

A feature of this invention is the provision of an article handling system including means to receive a series of articles progressively and continuously; means to distribute the articles to a plurality of work stations, to halt each article at a respective work station for a given period, and to withdraw the articles progressively and continuously.

BRIEF DESGRIPTION OF THE DRAWING These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification .thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in longitudinal cross-section of a non-rotating Gatling type gun, serving as a first embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross-section of the gun of FIG.

1 taken at the plane IIII;

FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-section of the gun of FIG. 1 taken at the plane IIIIII;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the gun of FIG. 1 taken at the plane IV-IV;

FIG. 5 is a partial view in longitudinal cross-section of the gun of FIG. 4 taken at the plane VV FIGS. 6A through 6BB illustrate the feed, lock, fire,

0 extract, and eject cycle of the gun of FIG. 1

FIG. 7 is a view in longitudinal cross-section of a second embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a transverse cross-section of the gun of FIG. 7 taken at the plane VIII-VIII; and

7 FIGS. 9 through 13 illustrate the feed, lock fire, extract and eject cycle of the gun of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST EMBODIMENT A first embodiment of this invention is shown in FIG. 1 through 5 and comprises a non-rotating Gatling type gun wherein the empty cases are ejected forwardly between the stationary barrels.

The gun includes a stationary forward housing 10, in which is fixed a stationary receiver 12. The forward portion of the receiver has five bores 14 in an annular row therethrough, each of which has a barrel l6, having a chamber 17, fixed therein. The aft portion of the receiver has five longitudinal channels 18 therein,

respectively aligned with the bores 14, and each receiving a respective bolt assembly 20. The receiver also has a central bore therethrough having an aft portion 22, a medial portion 24, and a forward portion 26. A rotating shaft 28 is journaled within the receiver central bore in an aft bearing 30 and a forward bearing 32. The forward portion 34 of the shaft is of reduced diameter and is journaled by an aft bearing 36 and a forward bearing 38 in a central bore 40 of a stationary ejection tray 42. The tray has five longitudinal channels 44 therein which are also open forwardly, and five bifurcated webs 46 at the forward end thereof, each of which straddles a respective barrel 16.

A rotating auger assembly 48 includes a ring 50 which is fixed to the shaft 28 and nested in the receiver medial bore portion 24, and a helical web 52 which encircles the tray 42, is fixed to the ring, and extends longitudinally within the receiver forward bore portion 26.

Each bolt assembly 20 includes a bolt body 54, which is constrained to longitudinal movement within a respective channel 18, which has a central bore in which is journaled a firing pin 56 having a cam follower 57, and which has a helical slot 58 and a cam follower 59. The assembly also includes a head portion 60 which has a helical arm 62 which mates with the slot 58, and which has an extractor lug 64 which engages the extractor rim 66 of a case 68 of a round of ammunition 70. Each cam follower 57 rides in a respective cam slot 72 in the stationary receiver 12. All of the cam followers 59 ride in a quasi-elliptical cam slot 74 in a rotating aft housing 76. The bolt assembly is of conventional construction. Relative rotational movement of the follower 59 and the housing 76 provides longitudinal movement of the bolt assembly. After the head portion 60 reaches its forwardmost position, continued forward movement of the bolt body causes compression of the mainspring and rotation of the head portion into lock. Movement of the follower 57 into the forward portion of the slot 72 causes firing of the firing pin. Rearward movement of the follower 59 causes unlocking of the head portion.

The rotating aft housing 76 is joumaled on the stationary receiver 12 by an aft bearing 78, and is journaled in the stationary housing by a forward bearing 80. The rotating housing 76 also has an annular cam 82, an external ring gear 84, and a forward, rotating scoop portion 86. The scoop portion includes a substantially annular outer portion 88 having a single lateral passageway 90 therethrough bounded in part by a leading surface 92 on a leading portion 94 and a leaf spring 96 on a trailing surface 98 in a trailing portion 100 which converges into a partial, inner, trailing portion 102. The aft housing 76 is fixed to the shaft 28 by means of a plate 104, a machine screw 106 and a key 108.

A distributor ring 110 is joumaled within the stationary forward housing 10 by a bearing 112 which is secured by a ring 114. The ring has a plurality of longitudinally extending, spaced apart, fingers 116, which divide the annular space between the stationary housing 10 and the rotating scoop 88 into a plurality of pockets 118, each adapted to receive one round of ammunition 70. The ring also has an external ring gear 120.

The stationary receiver 12 also includes an annular web which serves as a rounds guide 124. The guide has five lateral passageways 126, each radially aligned with a respective chamber 17.

Five feed pawl assemblies 128 are disposed around the housing. Each assembly includes a cam follower 130, disposed in the cam track 82 of the rotating aft housing 76, and joumaled on a crank arm 132, which is fixed on a shaft 134, which is joumaled through a bore 136 in the stationary housing 10, and which is fixed to a feed pawl 138, which extends through a passageway 140 in the housing.

A drive assembly 150 is fixed to the stationary housing 10. The assembly includes a housing 152 through which are joumaled shafts 154, 156 and 158. The shaft 154 is driven by a source of power, not shown, and has a drive gear 160 fixed thereto. The shaft 156 has a gear 162, fixed thereon and meshed with the gear 160, and a gear 164 fixed thereon and meshed with rotating housing ring gear 84. The shaft 158 has a gear 166 fixed thereon and meshed with the gear 160, and a gear 168 fixed thereon and meshed with the ring gear 120 of the distributor ring.

A feeder assembly 170 includes a housing 172 fixed to the stationary forward housing 10, adjacent the distributor 1 10. a shaft 174 is joumaled in the housing and has a feed sprocket 176 which hands rounds of ammunition through a lateral opening 178 in the housing 10 into the pockets 118. The shaft 174 is driven through intermediate gears, not shown, by the distributor ring gear 120.

There are five chambers 17, five lateral passageways 126, twenty-five pockets 118, and five feed pawl assemblies 128. The aft housing 76 with its single lateral passageway 90 rotates five times as fast as the distributor l 10.

In operation, the gun is started empty, and loaded with a fresh complement of ammunition. As shown in FIG. 6A, the rounds are fed in sequence to the gun by the sprocket 176. As shown in FIGS. 6B through 6D, the first three rounds are handed into respective pockets 118 in the distributor ring. As indicated prior to FIG. 6E, as the fourth round is handed in, the scoop lateral opening passes the first round, while the respective pocket is adjacent a feed pawl 138, which is cranked by the rise in the cam track 82 to push the fourth round into the opening 90, which cams the round through the lateral opening 126 in the rounds guide 124 into alignment with the bolt head 60. The bolt is subsequently traversed by the cam 74 to load and lock the round in the chamber 17. Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 6F through 6K, the fifth through tenth rounds are handled into the distributor. The chambered first round was shown fired in FIG. 66. As shown in FIG. 6], the first, fired round, has been extracted by its bolt, and cammed by the inner trailing portion 102 of the scoop into a groove 44 of the stationary ejection tray 42 whereat it is picked up by the helical web 52 of the auger 48 and ejected, as shown in FIG. 6L. Prior to FIG. 6.], the sixth round was scooped through the passageways 90 and 126 into alignment with the second sequential bolt, for subsequent loading and locking. As shown in FIG. 6L, the sixth round is fired while the eleventh round is handed in. As shown in FIG. 6M, the second round is fired while the twelfth round is handed in. As shown in FIG. 6N, the thirteenth round is handed in. Prior to FIG. 60, the sixth, fired round has been extracted and cammed into the ejection tray, while the eleventh round has been scooped in. As shown in FIG. 60, the fourteenth round is handed in. Prior to FIG. 6?, the second fired round has been extracted, while the seventh round has been scooped in. It may be noted that as ammunition begins to flow into the gun, filling the distributor ring, on the first revolution of the scoop, only the first barrel has been loaded and locked in time to fire. On the second revolution, the first and second barrels have been loaded and locked in time to fire. It requires four revolutions of the distributor before steady-state firing is achieved. The first ten gun shots are intermittent. Subsequent bursts are all steady state.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SECOND EMBODIMENT A second embodiment of this invention is shown in FIG. 7 and 8 and comprises a non-rotating Gatling type gun wherein the empty cases are ejected laterally from the gun.

The gun is similar to the gun of the first embodiment, and differs therefrom in that the fixed cases and misfires are returned to the distributor after firing and are subsequently ejected laterally from a side port.

The gun includes a stationary forward housing 210, in which is fixed a stationary receiver 212. The forward portion of the receiver has five bores 214 in an annular row therethrough each of which has a barrel 216. The chamber 217 is shown formed in each respective bore 214, but, alternatively, might be formed conventionally in the barrel. The aft portion of the receiver has five longitudinal channels 218 therein, respectively aligned with the bores 214, and each receiving a respective bolt assembly 220.

The receiver also has a central bore therethrough having an aft portion 222, a medial portion 224, and a forward portion 226. An inner scoop 228 and an outer scoop 230 are here shown as extensions of a rotating aft housing 232. The scoops are integral with each other and are fixed on a shaft 234, together with a spur gear 235, which is journaled within the bore portion 226 by a bearing 236. The aft housing 232 is also journaled in the aft end of the housing 210 by a bearing 238.

Each bolt assembly 220 includes a bolt body 240 havinga cavity 242 therein with a chordal opening 244 and a forward bore 246. A firing pin 248 is disposed within the cavity, has a cam follower 250 projecting through the opening 244, and a penetrator 252 riding in the bore 246. A mainspring 254 is disposed aft of the pin and a return spring 256 is disposed forward of the pin. A projection cam 258 which extends from the wall of the aft housing serves to enter the chordal opening 244, to engage the cam follower 250 to cock and sear the firing pin of each bolt assembly in turn. The bolt body has a groove 260 out into its periphery in which there rides a traveling lock segment 262. A reciprocating lock segment 264 is captured in a respective one of five slots'264 in the receiver 216 and has a cam follower 266 which rides in a cam slot 268 in the aft housmg 232. The bolt body passes through a hole 270 in the segment. When the segment is cammed inwardly it locks the bolt. When the segment is in its outward .position it clears the bolt. This bolt and lock assembly is disclosed andclaimed in US. Patent application Ser. No. 75,980, filed Sept. 28, 1970.

A distributor ring 280 is journaled within the stationary housing 210 by a forward bearing 282 on the receiver 212 and an aft bearing 284 on the aft housing 232. The ring has a plurality of longitudinally extending, spaced apart webs 286, which divide the space between the stationary housing 210 and the outer rotating scoop 230 into a plurality of pockets 288', each adjusted to receive one round of ammunition 290 or an empty case therefrom.The ring also has an external ring gear 292.

Five feed pawl assemblies are disposed around the housing. Each pawl assembly includes a cam follower 296, disposed in acam track 298 of the rotating aft housing 232, and journaled on a crank arm 300, which is fixed on a shaft 302, which is journaled through two bores 304, 206 in the stationary housing 210, and which is fixed to two feed pawls 308, 310, which respectively travel through two passageways 312, 314 in the housing, andtwo' cut-outs 316, 318 in each distributor web 286.

The medial portion 224 of the stationary receiving 212 serves as a rounds guide. The guide has five lateral, re-entrant passageways, each having an entrance portion 328 and an exit portion 326, and has an annular cut-out 330. The outer scoop 230 has an entrance passageway 332, and an exit passageway 334. As transverse hump 336, which rides in and clears the annular cut-out 330, extends from the wall of the outer scoop. A transverse recess 338 is formed in the outer surface of the inner scoop to match the hump and provide a transverse passageway for a round of ammunition.

A feeder assembly 340 includes a housing 342 fixed to the stationary forward housing 210, adjacent the distributor 280. A shaft 344 is journaled in the housing and has a fixed sprocket 346 and a spur gear 347. Two guide bars 348 respectively extend from the housing 342 through a lateral opening on the housing 210 into the cutouts 316 and 318 in the distributor to provide an ammunition feed passageway 350 and an ejection passageway 352.

A ejector pawl assembly includes a shaft 354 journaled in a longitudinal bore 356 inner scoop 228. Two ejector pawls 358, 360 are fixed on the shaft and respectively disposed in two transverse cutouts 362, 464 in the inner scoop. A spur gear 366 is fixed to the shaft 354 and is meshed with a ring gear 368 fixed within and to the stationary receiver 212. Suitable gearing, not shown, is coupled to the distributor ring gear 292, the scoop spur gear 235 and the feeder spur gear 346, so that the scoop rotates five times as fast as the distributor. The ejector pawls rotate five times for each rotation of the scoop.

The distributor ring pockets are filled in a manner similar to that described for the first embodiment, and rounds are transferred by the respective feed pawls from the distributor ring pockets through the entrance passageway 332 in the outer scoop 340 into the entrance passageway 238. Each round is received by a respective bolt and is loaded, locked, and tired and then ejected back into the entrance passageway. When the fired case is reached by the hump 336 on the scoop it is deflected around the hump into the exit passageway 326, from which it is pushed by the ejector pawls 358, 360 into an empty distributor ring pocket. The fired case is deflected from its pocket by the guide bars 348 into the ejection passageway.

While preferred embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated that other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure, and, therefore, the invention is not to be limited by the disclosed embodiments, except as required by the hereto appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine gun comprising:

a stationary housing,

a plurality of barrels disposedin an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing,

each of said barrels having a respective chamber;

feeding means for receiving cartridges from a supply and for providing these cartridges as a single, continuous and regular train of cartridges; and distributor means for'receiving the single train of cartridges from said feeding means, and, with respect to a single cycle of operation in connection with said plurality of barrels, for feeding cartridges to each of said chambers in sequence, for locking each cartridge in said respective chamber in sequence, for firing each cartridge in said respective chamber in sequence.

2. A machine gun according to claim 1 wherein:

said distributor means provides said feeding, locking,

firing and extraction functions as out of phase,

. overlapping cycles of operation.

3. A machine gun according to claim 2 wherein:

said distributor means discharges said fired cartridge cases in a continuous and regular train.

4. A machine gun according to claim 2 wherein:

said distributor means includes;

a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket adapted to receive a respective cartridge from said feeding means;

a plurality of bolt assemblies, disposed in an annular row, each adapted to chamber, lock, fire and extract a respective cartridge in a respective chamber; and

first transfer means for transfering cartridges from said pockets to said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a cartridge.

5. A machine gun according to claim 4 wherein: said distributor means includes second transfer means for withdrawing fired cartridge cases from said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said bolt assemblies in sequence is cleared to receive a fresh cartridge from said first transfer means.

6. A machine gun according to claim 5 wherein: said second transfer means transfers each fired cartridge case from said respective bolt assembly to a respective one of said pockets in said ring; and

said distributor means further includes third transfer means for withdrawing each fired cartridge from said ring.

7. A machine gun according to claim 5 wherein:

said second transfer means includes a rotating auger assembly for discharging fired cartridges sequentially from said gun.

8. A machine gun according to claim 4 wherein:

said first transfer means includes a plurality of feed pawl assemblies equal in number to said bolt assemblies,

a rotating scoop member of substantially spiral cross section having an outer inlet portion;

each feed pawl adapted to shift a cartridge from its disposition in a respective pocket into said inlet portion of said scoop member;

said scoop member adapted to guide a shifted cartridge into alignment with a respective bolt as sembly for chambering.

9. A machine gun according to claim 8 having:

n barrels;

n chambers;

n bolt assemblies;

n feed pawl assemblies; and

n pockets.

10. A machine gun according to claim 9 further including:

drive means for rotating said scoop member n times as fast as said ring member, for reciprocating each feed pawl assembly once during a cycle of rotating of said scoop member, and for reciprocating each bolt assembly once during a cycle of rotating of said scoop member.

1]. An article handling system including:

a plurality of work stations disposed in an annular row;

article distribution means including an annular conveyor spaced from, and rotating about said annular row of work stations and passing a stationary receiving station for receiving a single continuous series of articles from said stationary station,

means for sequentially transporting each of the articles from said annular conveyor to a respective one of said work stations, each work station in progressive sequence receiving one such article,

for halting such article at such respective work station for a given period of time, and for thereafter withdrawing such article from said work station.

12. An article handling system including:

a stationary housing;

a plurality of work stations disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing; each of said work stations having a respective workpiece receiving chamber;

feeding means for receiving workpieces from a supply and for providing these workpieces as a single, continuous and regular train of workpieces,; and

distributor means for receiving the single train of workpieces from said feeding means, and, with respect to a single cycle of operation in connection with said plurality of barrels, for feeding workpieces to each of said chambers in sequence, for retaining for processing each workpiece in said respective chamber in sequence, and for extracting each workpiece from said respective chamber in sequence.

13. An article handling system according to claim 12 wherein:

said distributor means provides said feeding, retention, and extraction functions as out of phase, overlapping cycles of operation.

14. A system according to claim 13 wherein:

aid distributor means discharges said processed workpieces in a continuous and regular train.

15. A system according to claim 13 wherein:

said distributor means includes;

a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket adapted to receive a respective workpiece from said feeding means;

a plurality of rectilinear transfer means, disposed in an annular row, each adapted to chamber, retain and extract a respective workpiece in and from a respective chamber;

first transfer means for transfering workpieces from said pockets to said plurality of rectilinear transfer means, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a workpiece.

16. A system according to claim 15 wherein:

said distributor means includes second transfer means for withdrawing processed workpieces from said rectilinear transfer means, whereby each of said rectilinear transfer means in sequence is cleared to receive a fresh workpiece from said first transfer means.

17. A system according to claim 16 wherein:

second transfer means transfers each processed workpiece from said respective rectilinear transfer means to a respective one of said pockets in said ring; and

said distributor means further includes third transfer means for withdrawing each processed workpiece from said ring.

18. A system according to claim 16 wherein:

said second transfer means includes a rotating auger assembly for discharging processed workpieces sequentially from said system.

19. A system according to claim 15 wherein:

said first transfer means includes a plurality of feed pawl assemblies equal in number to said plurality of rectilinear transfer means a rotating scoop member of substantially spiral cross section having an outlet inlet portion;

each feed pawl adapted to shift a workpiece from its disposition in a respective pocket into said inlet of said scoop member;

said scoop member adapted to guide a shifted workpiece into alignment with a respective rectilinear transfer means for chambering.

20. A system according to claim 19 having:

n work stations;

n chambers;

n rectilinear transfer means;

n feed pawl assemblies; and

n pockets.

21. A system according to claim 20 further including:

drive means for rotating said scoop member n times as fast as said ring member, for reciprocating each feed pawl assembly once during a cycle of rotation of said scoop member, for reciprocating each feed pawl assembly once during a cycle of rotation of said scoop member, and for reciprocating each rectilinear transfer means once during a cycle of rotation of said scoop member.

22. A machine gun comprising:

a stationary housing;

a plurality of barrels disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing;

each of said barrels having a respective chamber;

feeding means for receiving cartridges from a supply and for providing these cartridges as a continuous and regular train of cartridges; and

distributor means for receiving the train of cartridges from said feeding means, for providing cartridges to eachof said chambers, for locking and firing each cartridge, and for extracting each fired cartridge case;

said distributor means including a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket for receiving a respective cartridge from said feeding means;

a plurality of bolt assemblies, disposed in an annular row, each for chambering, locking, firing and extracting a respective cartridge in a respective chamber;

first transfer means for transferring cartridges from said pockets to said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a cartridge;

second transfer means for withdrawing fired cartridge cases from said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said bolt assemblies in sequence is cleared to receive a fresh cartridge from said first transfer means, said second transfer means transferring each'fired cartridge case from said respective bolt assembly to a respective one of said pockets in said ring; and

third transfer means for withdrawing each fired cartridge from said ring.

23. A machine gun comprising:

a stationary housing;

a plurality of barrels disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing;

each of said barrels having a respective chamber;

feeding means for receiving cartridges from a supply and for providing these cartridges as a continuous and regular train of cartridges; and

distributor means for receiving the train of cartridges from said feeding means, for providing cartridges to each of said chambers, for locking and firing each cartridge, and for extracting each fired cartridge case;

said distributor means including a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket for receiving a respective cartridge from said feeding means;

a plurality of bolt assemblies, disposed in an annular row, each for chambering, locking, firing and extracting a respective cartridge in a respective chamber;

first transfer means for transferring cartridges from said pockets to said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a cartridge;

second transfer means for withdrawing fired cartridge cases from said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said bolt assemblies in sequence is cleared to receive a fresh cartridge from said first transfer means, said second transfer means including a rotating auger assembly for discharging fired cartridge cases sequentially from said 1 gun.

24. A machine gun comprising:

a stationary housing;

a plurality of barrels disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing;

each of said barrels having a respective chamber;

feeding means for receiving cartridges from a supply and for providing these cartridges as a continuous and regular train of cartridges; and

distributor means for receiving the train of cartridges from said feeding means, for providing cartridges to each of said chambers, for locking and firing each cartridge, and for extracting each fired cartridge case; i i said distributor means including a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket for receiving a respective cartridge from said feeding means; a plurality of bolt assemblies, disposed in an annular row, each for chambering, locking, firing and extracting a respective cartridge in a respective chamber; first transfer means for transferring cartridges from said pockets to said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a cartridge; said first transfer means including a plurality of feed pawl assemblies equal in number to said bolt assemblies,

a rotating scoop member of substantially spiral cross section having an outer inlet portion;

each feed pawl adapted to shift a cartridge from its disposition in a respective pocket into said inlet portion of said scoop member;

said scoop member adapted to guide a shifted cartridge into alignment with a respective bolt assembly for chambering.

5. A machine gun according to claim 24 having:

it barrels;

n chambers;

n bolt assemblies;

n feed pawl assemblies; and

n pockets.

26. A machine gun according to claim 25 further including:

drive means for rotating said scoop member n times as fast as said ring member, for reciprocating each feed pawl assembly once during a cycle of rotating of said scoop member, and for reciprocating each bolt assembly once during a cycle of rotating of said scoop member.

27. An article handling system including:

a stationary housing:

a plurality of work stations disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing; each of said work stations having a respective workpiece receiving chamber;

feeding means for receiving workpieces from a supply and for providing these workpieces as a continuous and regular train of cartridges; and

distributor means for receiving the train of workpieces from said feeding means, for providing workpieces to each of said chambers, for retaining for processing each workpiece in said chamber, and for extracting each processed workpiece from said chamber;

said distributor means including:

a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket for receiving a respective workpiece from said feeding means;

a plurality of rectilinear transfer means, disposed in an annular row, each for chambering, retaining and extracting a respective workpiece in and from a respective chamber;

first transfer means for transferring workpieces from said pockets to said plurality of rectilinear transfer means, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a workpiece;

second transfer means for withdrawing processed workpieces from said rectilinear transfer means, whereby each of said rectilinear transfer means in sequence is cleared to receive a fresh workpiece from said first transfer means, said second transfer means transferring each processed workpiece from said respective rectilinear transfer means to a respective one of said pockets in said ring; and

third transfer means for withdrawing each processed workpiece from said ring.

28. An article handling system including:

a stationary housing:

a plurality of work stations disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing; each of said work stations having a respective workpiece receiving chamber;

feeding means for receiving workpieces from a supply and for providing these workpieces as a continuous and regular train of cartridges; and

distributor means for receiving the train of workpieces from said feeding means, for providing workpieces to each of said chambers, for retaining for processing each workpiece in said chamber, and for extracting each processed workpiece from said chamber;

said distributor means including:

a plurality of rectilinear transfer means, disposed in an annular row, each for chambering, retaining and extracting a respective workpiece in and from a respective chamber;

first transfer means for transferring workpieces, from said pockets to said plurality of rectilinear transfer means, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a workpiece;

second transfer means for withdrawing processed workpieces from said rectilinear transfer means, whereby each of said rectilinear transfer means in sequence is cleared to receive a fresh workpiece from said first transfer means, said second transfer means including a rotating auger assembly for discharging processed workpieces sequentially from said system.

29. An article handling system including:

a stationary housing:

a plurality of work stations disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing; each of said work stations having a respective workpiece receiving chamber;

feeding means for receiving workpieces from a supply and for providing these workpieces as a continuous and regular train of cartridges; and

distributor means for receiving the train of workpieces from said feeding means, for providing workpieces to each of said chambers, for retaining for processing each workpiece in said chamber, and for extracting each processed workpiece from said chamber;

said distributor means including:

a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket for receiving a respective workpiece from said feeding means;

a plurality of rectilinear transfer means, disposed in an annular row, each for chambering, retaining and extracting a respective workpiece in and from a respective chamber;

a first means for transferring workpieces from said pockets to said plurality of rectilinear transfer mean, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a workpiece;

said first transfer means including:

a plurality of feed pawl assemblies equal in number to said plurality of rectilinear transfer means;

a rotating scoop member of substantially spiral cross section having an outlet inlet portion;

each feed pawl adapted to shift a workpiece from its disposition in a respective pocket into said inlet of said scoop member;

said scoop member adapted to guide a shifted workpiece into alignment with a respective rectilinear transfer means for chambering.

30. A system according to claim 29 having:

n work stations;

n stations;

n chambers;

n rectilinear transfer means;

n feed pawl assemblies; and

n pockets.

31. A system according to claim 30 further including: 

1. A machine gun comprising: a stationary housing, a plurality of barrels disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing, each of said barrels having a respective chamber; feeding means for receiving cartridges from a supply and for providing these cartridges as a single, continuous and regular train of cartridges; and distributor means for receiving the single train of cartridges from said feeding means, and, with respect to a single cycle of operation in connection with said plurality of barrels, for feeding cartridges to each of said chambers in sequence, for locking each cartridge in said respective chamber in sequence, for firing eaCh cartridge in said respective chamber in sequence.
 2. A machine gun according to claim 1 wherein: said distributor means provides said feeding, locking, firing and extraction functions as out of phase, overlapping cycles of operation.
 3. A machine gun according to claim 2 wherein: said distributor means discharges said fired cartridge cases in a continuous and regular train.
 4. A machine gun according to claim 2 wherein: said distributor means includes; a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket adapted to receive a respective cartridge from said feeding means; a plurality of bolt assemblies, disposed in an annular row, each adapted to chamber, lock, fire and extract a respective cartridge in a respective chamber; and first transfer means for transfering cartridges from said pockets to said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a cartridge.
 5. A machine gun according to claim 4 wherein: said distributor means includes second transfer means for withdrawing fired cartridge cases from said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said bolt assemblies in sequence is cleared to receive a fresh cartridge from said first transfer means.
 5. A machine gun according to claim 24 having: n barrels; n chambers; n bolt assemblies; n feed pawL assemblies; and n2 pockets.
 6. A machine gun according to claim 5 wherein: said second transfer means transfers each fired cartridge case from said respective bolt assembly to a respective one of said pockets in said ring; and said distributor means further includes third transfer means for withdrawing each fired cartridge from said ring.
 7. A machine gun according to claim 5 wherein: said second transfer means includes a rotating auger assembly for discharging fired cartridges sequentially from said gun.
 8. A machine gun according to claim 4 wherein: said first transfer means includes a plurality of feed pawl assemblies equal in number to said bolt assemblies, a rotating scoop member of substantially spiral cross section having an outer inlet portion; each feed pawl adapted to shift a cartridge from its disposition in a respective pocket into said inlet portion of said scoop member; said scoop member adapted to guide a shifted cartridge into alignment with a respective bolt assembly for chambering.
 9. A machine gun according to claim 8 having: n barrels; n chambers; n bolt assemblies; n feed pawl assemblies; and n2 pockets.
 10. A machine gun according to claim 9 further including: drive means for rotating said scoop member n times as fast as said ring member, for reciprocating each feed pawl assembly once during a cycle of rotating of said scoop member, and for reciprocating each bolt assembly once during a cycle of rotating of said scoop member.
 11. An article handling system including: a plurality of work stations disposed in an annular row; article distribution means including an annular conveyor spaced from, and rotating about said annular row of work stations and passing a stationary receiving station for receiving a single continuous series of articles from said stationary station, means for sequentially transporting each of the articles from said annular conveyor to a respective one of said work stations, each work station in progressive sequence receiving one such article, for halting such article at such respective work station for a given period of time, and for thereafter withdrawing such article from said work station.
 12. An article handling system including: a stationary housing; a plurality of work stations disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing; each of said work stations having a respective workpiece receiving chamber; feeding means for receiving workpieces from a supply and for providing these workpieces as a single, continuous and regular train of workpieces,; and distributor means for receiving the single train of workpieces From said feeding means, and, with respect to a single cycle of operation in connection with said plurality of barrels, for feeding workpieces to each of said chambers in sequence, for retaining for processing each workpiece in said respective chamber in sequence, and for extracting each workpiece from said respective chamber in sequence.
 13. An article handling system according to claim 12 wherein: said distributor means provides said feeding, retention, and extraction functions as out of phase, overlapping cycles of operation.
 14. A system according to claim 13 wherein: aid distributor means discharges said processed workpieces in a continuous and regular train.
 15. A system according to claim 13 wherein: said distributor means includes; a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket adapted to receive a respective workpiece from said feeding means; a plurality of rectilinear transfer means, disposed in an annular row, each adapted to chamber, retain and extract a respective workpiece in and from a respective chamber; first transfer means for transfering workpieces from said pockets to said plurality of rectilinear transfer means, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a workpiece.
 16. A system according to claim 15 wherein: said distributor means includes second transfer means for withdrawing processed workpieces from said rectilinear transfer means, whereby each of said rectilinear transfer means in sequence is cleared to receive a fresh workpiece from said first transfer means.
 17. A system according to claim 16 wherein: second transfer means transfers each processed workpiece from said respective rectilinear transfer means to a respective one of said pockets in said ring; and said distributor means further includes third transfer means for withdrawing each processed workpiece from said ring.
 18. A system according to claim 16 wherein: said second transfer means includes a rotating auger assembly for discharging processed workpieces sequentially from said system.
 19. A system according to claim 15 wherein: said first transfer means includes a plurality of feed pawl assemblies equal in number to said plurality of rectilinear transfer means a rotating scoop member of substantially spiral cross section having an outlet inlet portion; each feed pawl adapted to shift a workpiece from its disposition in a respective pocket into said inlet of said scoop member; said scoop member adapted to guide a shifted workpiece into alignment with a respective rectilinear transfer means for chambering.
 20. A system according to claim 19 having: n work stations; n chambers; n rectilinear transfer means; n feed pawl assemblies; and n2 pockets.
 21. A system according to claim 20 further including: drive means for rotating said scoop member n times as fast as said ring member, for reciprocating each feed pawl assembly once during a cycle of rotation of said scoop member, for reciprocating each feed pawl assembly once during a cycle of rotation of said scoop member, and for reciprocating each rectilinear transfer means once during a cycle of rotation of said scoop member.
 22. A machine gun comprising: a stationary housing; a plurality of barrels disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing; each of said barrels having a respective chamber; feeding means for receiving cartridges from a supply and for providing these cartridges as a continuous and regular train of cartridges; and distributor means for receiving the train of cartridges from said feeding means, for providing cartridges to each of said chambers, for locking and firing each cartridge, and for extracting each fired cartridge case; said distributor means including a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket for receiving a respective cartridge from said feeding means; a plurality of bolt assemblies, disposed in an annular row, each for chambering, locking, firing and extracting a respective cartridge in a respective chamber; first transfer means for transferring cartridges from said pockets to said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a cartridge; second transfer means for withdrawing fired cartridge cases from said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said bolt assemblies in sequence is cleared to receive a fresh cartridge from said first transfer means, said second transfer means transferring each fired cartridge case from said respective bolt assembly to a respective one of said pockets in said ring; and third transfer means for withdrawing each fired cartridge from said ring.
 23. A machine gun comprising: a stationary housing; a plurality of barrels disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing; each of said barrels having a respective chamber; feeding means for receiving cartridges from a supply and for providing these cartridges as a continuous and regular train of cartridges; and distributor means for receiving the train of cartridges from said feeding means, for providing cartridges to each of said chambers, for locking and firing each cartridge, and for extracting each fired cartridge case; said distributor means including a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket for receiving a respective cartridge from said feeding means; a plurality of bolt assemblies, disposed in an annular row, each for chambering, locking, firing and extracting a respective cartridge in a respective chamber; first transfer means for transferring cartridges from said pockets to said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a cartridge; second transfer means for withdrawing fired cartridge cases from said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said bolt assemblies in sequence is cleared to receive a fresh cartridge from said first transfer means, said second transfer means including a rotating auger assembly for discharging fired cartridge cases sequentially from said gun.
 24. A machine gun comprising: a stationary housing; a plurality of barrels disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing; each of said barrels having a respective chamber; feeding means for receiving cartridges from a supply and for providing these cartridges as a continuous and regular train of cartridges; and distributor means for receiving the train of cartridges from said feeding means, for providing cartridges to each of said chambers, for locking and firing each cartridge, and for extracting each fired cartridge case; said distributor means including a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket for receiving a respective cartridge from said feeding means; a plurality of bolt assemblies, disposed in an annular row, each for chambering, locking, firing and extracting a respective cartridge in a respective chamber; first transfer means for transferring cartridges from said pockets to said bolt assemblies, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a cartridge; said first transfer means including a plurality of feed pawl assemblies equal in number to said bolt assemblies, a rotating scoop member of substantially spiral cross section having an outer inlet portion; each feed pawl adapted to shift a cartridge from its disposition in a respective pocket into said inlet portion of said scoop member; said scoop member adapted to guide a shifted cartridge into alignment with a respective bolt assembly for chambering.
 26. A machine gun according to claim 25 further including: drive means for rotating said scoop member n times as fast as said ring member, for reciprocating each feed pawl assembly once during a cycle of rotating of said scoop member, and for reciprocating each bolt assembly once during a cycle of rotating of said scoop member.
 27. An article handling system including: a stationary housing: a plurality of work stations disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing; each of said work stations having a respective workpiece receiving chamber; feeding means for receiving workpieces from a supply and for providing these workpieces as a continuous and regular train of cartridges; and distributor means for receiving the train of workpieces from said feeding means, for providing workpieces to each of said chambers, for retaining for processing each workpiece in said chamber, and for extracting each processed workpiece from said chamber; said distributor means including: a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket for receiving a respective workpiece from said feeding means; a plurality of rectilinear transfer means, disposed in an annular row, each for chambering, retaining and extracting a respective workpiece in and from a respective chamber; first transfer means for transferring workpieces from said pockets to said plurality of rectilinear transfer means, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a workpiece; second transfer means for withdrawing processed workpieces from said rectilinear transfer means, whereby each of said rectilinear transfer means in sequence is cleared to receive a fresh workpiece from said first transfer means, said second transfer means transferring each processed workpiece from said respective rectilinear transfer means to a respective one of said pockets in said ring; and third transfer means for withdrawing each processed workpiece from said ring.
 28. An article handling system including: a stationary housing: a plurality of work stations disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing; each of said work stations having a respective workpiece receiving chamber; feeding means for receiving workpieces from a supply and for providing these workpieces as a continuous and regular train of cartridges; and distributor means for receiving the train of workpieces from said feeding means, for providing workpieces to each of said chambers, for retaining for processing each workpiece in said chamber, and for extracting each processed workpiece from said chamber; said distributor means including: a plurality of rectilinear transfer means, disposed in an annular row, each for chambering, retaining and extracting a respective workpiece in and from a respective chamber; first transfer means for transferring workpieces, from said pockets to said plurality of rectilinear transfer means, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a workpiece; second transfer means for withdrawing processed workpieces from said rectilinear transfer means, whereby each of said rectilinear transfer means in sequence is cleared to receive a fresh workpiece from said first transfer means, said second transfer means including a rotating auger assembly for discharging processed workpieces sequentially from said system.
 29. An article handling system including: a stationary housing: a plurality of work stations disposed in an annular row and stationary with respect to said housing; each of said work stations having a respective workpiece receiving chamber; feeding means for receiving workpieces from a supply and for providing these workpieces as a continuous and regular train of cartridges; and distributor means for receiving the train of workpieces from said feeding means, for provIding workpieces to each of said chambers, for retaining for processing each workpiece in said chamber, and for extracting each processed workpiece from said chamber; said distributor means including: a distributor ring having a plurality of pockets disposed in an annular row, each pocket for receiving a respective workpiece from said feeding means; a plurality of rectilinear transfer means, disposed in an annular row, each for chambering, retaining and extracting a respective workpiece in and from a respective chamber; a first means for transferring workpieces from said pockets to said plurality of rectilinear transfer mean, whereby each of said chambers in sequence is provided with a workpiece; said first transfer means including: a plurality of feed pawl assemblies equal in number to said plurality of rectilinear transfer means; a rotating scoop member of substantially spiral cross section having an outlet inlet portion; each feed pawl adapted to shift a workpiece from its disposition in a respective pocket into said inlet of said scoop member; said scoop member adapted to guide a shifted workpiece into alignment with a respective rectilinear transfer means for chambering.
 30. A system according to claim 29 having: n work stations; n stations; n chambers; n rectilinear transfer means; n feed pawl assemblies; and n2 pockets.
 31. A system according to claim 30 further including: drive means for rotating said scoop member n times as fast as said ring member, for reciprocating each feed pawl assembly once during a cycle of rotation of said scoop member, for reciprocating each feed pawl assembly once during a cycle of rotation of said scoop member, and for reciprocating each rectilinear transfer means once during a cycle of rotation of said scoop member. 